My name is Ty and I am a couple of days out from taking off on a ride around Australia. This trip has been in the making for 20 years! It came from a promise made to a new school mate when we were 17 years old. As we soon found out, both our "old mans" were bikers and we realised that "Hydro" and I were the only 2 amongst our school peers that owned and rode motorbikes.

We made a promise soon after meeting that " If one of us won Lotto then they had to buy the other, as well as them selves a bike to ride around Australia "

We have reminded each other of this promise each and every time we have caught up during our lives there after, fishing trips, music concerts, birthdays, parties and various other get togethers. These were weeks sometimes years apart but never forgotten.

Well Hydro and I never won Lotto, mind you, it would help if we had made an effort to put in to buy a ticket more often than not!

Then one day nearly 12 months ago I was telling another mate about this old 'secret' promise as we sat on his veranda drinking beers and talking about his new Aprilla Supermotard bike there in front of us. His enthusiasm was agreeable with the thoughts of riding with a long time mate discovering the country, its people and everything in between.

On my return home soon after that very conversation, whilst I was trying to find the keys to get in my front door, I received a text message on my phone. It was Hydro... With a one sentence statement of "We have to do this trip" I had a uneasy moment thinking WTF? Out of instinct, I looked over my shoulder thinking he might have been there, but as I hadn't seen him in 18 months, he didn't know where I was living at that time due to me living/studying in Fremantle W.A., plus he didn't know my other mate who I had just had the conversation!

Once through the front door I replied to the message with "yeah fella, I'll put in for a extra ticket in this weekends draw". This was immediately met with another statement from Hydro that really hit home to me in a way that he couldn't possibly have realised. It was "Na Ty, we have to do this before one of us gets, sick, injured or hitched".

I had been not only studying at that time but also caring for a mate of mine Doug with cancer, taking him to chemo, radiation and all the other treatments. This had given me a different outlook on life, watching someone close, another knock about Aussie lad, being eaten from the inside out by a insidious disease. I had never really appreciated the yellow daffodil or the pink ribbon charities until then... This coupled with a mentor and study partner at our Maritime College falling ill to a mysterious disease and pulling out of the course we were in together ( soon later finishing his career ) Also all my friends at this age of 37, seem to be getting engaged, married, having a kid, some even onto their 2nd or 3rd!

That was it, I made up my mind there and then, I was in! I was doing the trip, I wasn't waiting for a wind fall, a stroke of luck or another reason. I was going...

That weekend I drove around to all the bike stores in Perth gathering information and prices on all the models available for what we wanted to do the trip best with. I sent them to Hydro with a letter explaining the situation I received his message in and my committed status.

Since then Hydro has bought himself a Suzuki DR 650 and I have kitted out a 2011 Yamaha Tenere XT660Z. Below is a shot of my bike on my return to my home in Exmouth in the North West of W.A. From Perth.

Here are a few shots of the bike before launch, 2 days to go and counting...

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At the moment I am going through all my equipment, reducing sizes, weight, volumes and doubled items.
The swag looks huge in the photos but sits within the B&B's tail rack 'foot print' and as you can see I still have the whole seat clear. I will be purchasing a 10 litre MSR water bladder to sit behind me. I saw how they looked on Philths (Motor bikin' fame) Triumph when he and Bob stayed the night recently.

I tell you what, the chance meeting of those lads a few days out from my launch was a priceless highlight to say the least! Everything I've put together with this bike has been gleaned from magazines, DVDs and the Internet. To see and yarn with the battle worn blokes and bikes gave a great insight, also the motivation to get out on the track left me sleepless with anticipation...

Not sure mate when I'll be over that way. The plan at the moment is ride to Darwin solo, then I will join my vessel on the 19th December for a 5 week swing. I drive a offshore oil and gas rig tender vessel out in the Timor Sea. Around the 1st of Feburary, Hydro and I will ride together. Appreciating the fact that the wet season will be causing havoc to tracks in the north, we are contemplating riding down through the guts and doing Tassie during the summer... Will keep you posted!

My big ADV dreams are on hold for along time now due to younglings, so i'll be living the dream through you guys and like many others on here

I got myself one those beautiful black 660's when they first come out in 2009 and of course had to sell.... geez i miss it.

If you have the cash i would seriously recommend get some pipes and take the snorkel out it just makes the bike breath so much better and eliminates the need to gear down for most hills to prevent chugging. The cheapest set to get (for a twin set-up) is the leo vincie's shipped from europe ebay for around $600 and not too loud.... just right!

Not sure mate when I'll be over that way. The plan at the moment is ride to Darwin solo, then I will join my vessel on the 19th December for a 5 week swing. I drive a offshore oil and gas rig tender vessel out in the Timor Sea. Around the 1st of Feburary, Hydro and I will ride together. Appreciating the fact that the wet season will be causing havoc to tracks in the north, we are contemplating riding down through the guts and doing Tassie during the summer... Will keep you posted!

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We've got 100 riders meeting in the Flinders Ranges from 4 April 2013 for the Flinders Classic, if you could work that into your plans you'd be most welcome.

Nice bike! I've always like the Tenere, too bad we can't get them here in NA.

What is that huge roll on the back?

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G'day juames,

The roll on the back of the bike is my stately residence whilst adventuring.

In Australia we call them a "Swag". They are essentially a canvas cover in which contains all your bedding, mattress, pillow, linen, sleeping bag etc. On unclipping the plastic fasteners, they roll out and "Ta Daaa" instant accommodation.

They come in a range of sizes and designs depending on personal preference and applications. Most these days are of a triangular 'tent' design with guide ropes to fix to trees and or bike, car at each end. Although you can not stand inside them (Unless you are quite vertically challenged!) they provide basic comfortable protection from the elements for sleeping.

I must admit that at looking at the photos after taking them, I was surprised how large it looked. It is some what deceiving though as the rolled up 'footprint' is within the B&B tail rack. Weight is approximately 4 kilos.

What is the advantage of a 'swag' over a tent and therma-rest that takes up 1/3 the space?

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main advantage...... ease of set-up, as hoon said.. you undo 2 clips, roll it out and your bed is ready.... as your sleeping bag and pillow are already in there rolled with the swag (a 30 second job) and same packing it up.

The disadvantage is yes they take up a bit more space but (i assume hoon) this one is the special "bike swag" therefore lighter in weight than a standard swag.